Seven-Year-Old burnt By Mother Over Stolen Money

 A 31-year-old woman from Chipata District has been arrested for burning her 7-year-old son with hot water.

 Amelia Namonje, 31, of Mchini Compound in Chipata, Eastern Province, reportedly assaulted her child after he stole K10, which he later used to play Bonanza, a type of coin-operated gambling machine popular in Zambia.

 In a fit of anger, Namonje poured hot water on the boy, who sustained serious burns.

The boy was firstly attended to at Mchini clinic before he was referred to Chipata Central Hospital.

Brief facts on the matter are that on 22nd January 2026, the 7-year-old boy did steal a K10 from his mother and instead of going to school, he went to play Bonanza within the area.

At around 09:00, the boy went back home where he met the mother who questioned him over the K10.

The perpetrator started beating the child and as he fail down, she got a pot of hot water which was on the brazier and poured it on the victim.

Upon seeing that she had burnt her son, she personally quickly rushed him to Mchini Clinic where he started receiving care.

Whilst at the clinic, members of the public who witnessed the act informed the police on what transpired prompting the police to apprehend her whilst at the clinic.

Regional Police Commanding Officer Robertson Mweemba confirmed the incident, saying the victim was referred to seek medical attention at Chipata Central Hospital.

Mr Mweemba described the condition of the boy as unstable